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The controversial new haka Kapa O Pango has been given the
thumbs up in a new poll by the New Zealand Rugby Union.

The "throat-cutting" haka, which was used in the opening
Tri-Nations game of the season against Australia at Jade Stadium on
Saturday, had been at the centre of widespread debate about its
suitability.

NZRU Chief executive Chris Moller said the review highlights a
need for education.

"We need to promote understanding of haka. The concern about
Kapa O Pango's final gesture makes that clear."

While the haka's final movement has regularly been described as
a cut-throat gesture, the review emphasised that its meaning within
Maori culture and the tradition of haka is very different.

Composer Derek Lardelli said that Kapa O Pango ends with the
word 'Ha' which translates as the breath of life. "The words and
motions represent drawing vital energy into the heart and
lungs."

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The right arm searches for the 'Ha' on the left side of the
body, Lardelli explained, while the head turns to the right also
symbolically seeking vital energy.

The right hand hauls that energy into the pou-whakaora (the heart,
lungs and air passages), then the eyes and tongue signal that the
energy has been harnessed before it is expelled with the final
'Ha.'

New Zealand Maori Rugby Board Chairman Paul Quinn has echoed the
call for education. "It's important to understand the meaning and
significance of haka. Any art is open to interpretation, so knowing
the history and tradition behind it is vital.

Quinn noted that the All Blacks take haka around the world and
the introduction of Kapa O Pango has seen renewed interest in haka
within New Zealand as well.

"The new haka is a chance to promote New Zealand and Tikanga
Maori. The next step is to see how we can utilise it to create
understanding of our culture."

Moller said that the review was conducted in response to
anecdotal reports that some New Zealanders were uncomfortable with
Kapa O Pango. "We've learned that most Kiwis are right behind it,
but we want to address the concerns as well," he said, "and hence
the emphasis on a fuller explanation."

The review involved consultation with kaumatua, the current All
Blacks and Kapa O Pango's composer, Derek Lardelli, as well as an
independent poll of the views of both the rugby community and New
Zealanders in general.

The Colmar Brunton poll of more than 500 New Zealanders showed
that nearly 90% of New Zealanders support the All Blacks'
performance of haka, and that 60% favour the use of Kapa O Pango
alongside the traditional All Blacks haka, Ka Mate .

The need for education is highlighted by the fact that
although a majority of New Zealanders believe Kapo O Pango is
appropriate, 37% of New Zealanders also think the final gesture
should be removed and a significant 17% have no opinion.

Highlights of research conducted by Colmar Brunton for
the NZRU:

88% of New Zealanders support the All Blacks' performance of
the haka

60% of New Zealanders believe it is appropriate for the All
Blacks to perform either Ka Mate or Kapa O Pango before rugby
Tests.

25% believe it is appropriate to only perform Ka Mate.

62% of New Zealanders have a positive view of Kapa O Pango

46% of New Zealanders think the final gesture of Kapa O Pango
should be left as it is. 37% of New Zealanders think the final
gesture should be removed. 17% did not know.